Though War Arise, a Shelter

It seems David the psalmist is living in two worlds: in the raucous turmoil of war and trouble, and in the melodious beauty of the heavenlies. To him, these were not incompatible, for no matter that war arose, his confidence, his shelter, his hope, were fixed firmly in his God. These two disparate experiences were united under the cover of his salvation.

This can be our reality today. As Christians, we carry the presence of Almighty God within us. He is indeed Immanuel, our light and salvation, our Defender, Advocate, Redeemer. His face shines on us. And these are true now. In the scuffle of life that is despair, illness, setbacks, vociferous antagonism, doubt, dissension, He lifts our head and is our shelter. (Numbers 6:24-26; Matthew 1:23; John 14:16) “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?.. Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus… is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?.. I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31,33-35,38-39 Will we get overwhelmed in the battle, or begin our days in His house, gazing upon the beauty of the Lord? With heads lifted above the fray, we can keep singing, though wars rage, making joyful melody and offering hope to others. “Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.”  ~Isaac Watts (1719) Father, in every circumstance, when emotions go awry and impulses stray from Your righteous control, compel me to keep my face beholding Yours, and my shelter in Your lovely temple.